By Fabio Barreto
Most students at Defiance College know the George M. Smart Athletic Center only as their team lift location and walking track. However, the function of this building in the life of the college goes beyond than just a gym.
The construction of this building became necessary due to the increasing needs of the Defiance College’s athletic programs for additional indoor space. Before constructing of the building, the athletic department lacked enough room to organize training and matches of different sports during bad weather conditions, like snowstorms, rain and heatwaves. In the spring of 2010, the Defiance College Board of Trustees approved the construction the new field house, which was opened in February 2012.
This building was named after the DC graduate George M. Smart. Smart was a chairman of the board of FirstEnergy Corporation, as well as a vice-chair of the Defiance College Board of Trustees. Also, Smart took part in the fundraising of this building. Smart played football and baseball at Defiance College, where he graduated in 1967. During his time at DC, Smart led the Yellow Jackets to an undefeated football season in 1966 as both the team’s quarterback and their captain. After graduating, Smart went on to become a successful businessman and trustee of DC.
Currently, the Smart Center occupies 84,000 square feet and represents one of the key venues on the college’s recreational and athletic grounds. One of the most distinctive attributes of this center is an NCAA-certified six-lane, 200-meter indoor track. Moreover, the center has a multi-purpose area that allows using it for playing basketball, volleyball, flag football and tennis as well as performing pole vault, jumping, and shot put.
In addition to training and weight rooms, lockers and offices, the Smart Center offers fitness facilities. Outside practice time, Defiance College students have access to the indoor track and basketball court just by scanning their ID.
Over ten years after the opening, the George M. Smart Athletic Center still plays an important role in the campus’ everyday life. For athletes, the facility gives an opportunity to train regardless of season and weather conditions. In turn, for other students, it offers some places for physical exercises.
As any sports building, the Smart Center represents the result of many years of work and investments into Defiance College’s athletics. Now, the Smart Center continues fulfilling its purpose for both the college’s community and its athletes.